The Women’s Studies is administered through the
College of Liberal Arts.

Women’s Studies is a field of
multidisciplinary studies that analyzes the role of women in culture.The study of women in history and
contemporary life enables students to consider the distinctive past and present
of women, deriving from their unique biological, economic and political
situation, and to become familiar with the artistic and literary depiction of
women.By studying women of a variety of
cultures and ethnicities, insight into the universality and specificity of
women’s roles is gained.One of the
strengths of Women’s Studies is its challenge to traditional history through
its emphasis on the interrelationship among fields that have often been treated
separately.By studying the past and
present through women’s eyes, we can see the complex interaction of biology,
economics, politics and ideology.The
purpose of the Women’s Studies Minor is to offer students the opportunity to
explore the ways in which socio-economic institutions, culture and ideas have
combined to determine woman’s place and to examine the strategies that women
have developed to challenge the limiting parameters of this place.

Academic Advisement

Students are expected to seek faculty advisement from
faculty teaching in the minor and on a regular basis thereafter.Since Women’s Studies courses must be
coordinated with many departments, it is especially important that Women’s
Studies Minors keep in touch with faculty advisors in the program on a regular
basis, to keep informed about what courses are being offered each semester so
that they can plan their schedules accordingly. This program is currently being
revised.Substitution of courses other
than those in the program requires the prior approval of an advisor.The faculty can also assist students in
recommending graduate programs in Women’s Studies.

Preparation

No specific high school or community college courses
are required as prerequisites. Students are expected to have adequate reading
and writing skills and an interest in under standing the complex forces that
determine gender roles.

Career Possibilities

A Minor in Women’s Studies is an excellent preparation
for students wishing to better understand the changing relationship
of women to the family and work.The
minor can help students evaluate their own choices and options in a rapidly
changing society and understand where and how their talents and skills may best
serve their own and society’s needs.For
those students interested
in pursuing advanced degrees, Women’s Studies is a
solid preparation for fields in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and the
Humanities.Women’s Studies also enables
students interestedHuman Services or Nursing careers to understand the sociological
and psychological aspects of the families who will receive their services.This program offers students an opportunity
to
understand the role of women in history and contemporary
United States society.

Minor
in Women's Studies (15 units)

A.Core Required Courses (6 units)

HIS 380.Women in History (3)

SOC 334.Women in Society (3)

B.Select three courses
from the following (9 units):

ENG 433.Thematic Approaches to Literature (3) [I]

HIS 379.The Family in History (3);or

Any course on minority or immigrant history where the student
concentrates onthe
role of women;or

Another history course with the
consent of advisor.

HIS 395.Special Topics in History (3)

IDS 320.Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies
(3)

POL 325.Women and Politics (3)

SOC 320.The Family(3)

[I] = courses are
infrequently offered

Additional courses offered from other disciplines may
be substituted if course content involves women or the family.Additional courses may only be applied if
approval of an advisor is received prior to enrolling in the course.

NOTES:

1.For
frequency of courses listed in this program consult the department that offers
the specific course of interest.

2.Credit is given for
ENG 433, HIS 395, and IDS 320 only when the course subject matter concentrates
on women.

Course Offerings

Upper Division

WMS 494Independent
Study (1-3).

Prerequisites:Consent of instructor and program coordinator.

Independent
study of a particular problem, issue, or readings under the direction of a
member of the Women's Studies faculty.Course
is not repeatable for credit in the Women's Studies minor.

WMS 495Special
Topics in Women's Studies (3).

An
intensive study of an issue or a concept in Women's Studies that is of
particular interest to both the faculty member and the students.Repeatable course with different topics.Three hours of seminar
per week.

WMS 496Internship
in Women's Studies (3).

Practical application
of coursework in Women's Studies through supervised work and field experience
in politics, law, art, communications, social welfare agencies or other area as
approved by the instructor and coordinator of the program.Course is not repeatable for credit in the
Women's Studies minor.